‘Giving circle magic’: The gift that grew and grew from a group of Melbourne women
This is a story of a giving circle and the impact of one of its gifts that grew beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. The initial $60,000 grant came from the Melbourne Women’s Fund to help an inner-city community organisation provide early intervention support for women in contact with the criminal justice system. A few years on, it has led to outstanding results and millions of dollars in government backing to expand the program across the city.
Philanthropy Australia launches Women’s Giving and Philanthropy initiative
As people across Australia gather to mark International Women’s Day, Philanthropy Australia celebrates by launching our Women’s Giving and Philanthropy initiative. Women’s philanthropy has emerged as a distinct area using innovative and creative methods to improve local, national and global communities. Pat Burke OAM, Senior Advisor at Philanthropy Australia and a key driver of this initiative, explains how it aims to grow and support women’s philanthropy with resources, research and inspiring stories as a key part of our mission to support ‘more and better’ giving.
120 events, the 400th edition of Philanthropy Weekly and a sold-out Canberra summit – what a year!
It’s time for members to renew with Philanthropy Australia, so we thought it a good time to reflect on the membership year just past.
‘Great example of female-led philanthropy’: Paula McLean’s $1m gift and the Stella Prize
It must have been a Zoom call for the ages. Philanthropist Paula McLean had left the board of the Stella Prize, Australia’s groundbreaking literary award for female writers, at the start of 2021. Later that year, board members informed her that they were planning to use the organisation’s 10-year anniversary celebrations to try to secure the remaining $2 million needed to endow the prize money in perpetuity. It was a bold target and they only had 10 months to achieve it.
‘Watch out – when women support a cause, they become activists’
Philanthropic strategist Kimberly Downes is author of one of the few pieces of research into how women give in Australia. Here, she shares a story and some of the key findings. Despite women finding it difficult to consider themselves philanthropists, she says, but they instinctively look after those in the community and through philanthropy have the power to give hope.
Climate and environmental philanthropy surges, AEGN report finds
Australian philanthropy directed to the climate and environment has increased at 10 times the rate of overall philanthropy, according to a new report from the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN). Giving to charities working on climate and environment programs grew 82% in the three years to 2021. We take a look at the key findings from the Environment and Climate Change Giving Trends 2024.
Nominations for the Philanthropy Australia board 2024 now open
Philanthropy Australia invites Board nominations from current members. Nominations can be made until 5pm (AEDT) on 19 March 2024. Our Annual General Meeting will be held on 22 May 2024.